February 3,1887. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
101 
The Royal Jubilee (F. It. H. S .).—We would publish your letter if we 
thought there was the slightest chance of its doing good. You, perhaps 
did not think at the moment of writing that your proposition is outside the 
range of practical projects ; and. moreover, if the letter appeared we should 
be inundated with replies for which it would be quite impossible to find 
space in this Journal. 
the hypothesis that tubers which ripen early in the south start growing in 
the winter and the first growths have to be rubbed off, the succeeding 
growths being consequently weakened ; whereas tubers ripening late in the 
north may not grow so soon, and their who’e strength be conserved till 
planting. Possibly some of our readers may have a little to say on this 
subject. 
American Blight {Bray ).—If you dissolve 4 ozs. of softsoap and half 
an ounce of soda in a gallon of boiling rain water, and while still hot stir 
very briskly in a pint of petroleum, and brush this well into the crevices of 
the bark of your Apple trees, it will destroy all the insects it reaches without 
injuring the tree* when in a dormant state. We have known pure 
petroleum, tint you call paraffin, do considerable damage to young fruit 
trees. 
Planting Trees and Asparagus (Af. H .).—Autumn is a better time for 
planting than spring, but we have planted thousands of trees in February 
successfully. The conditions of success are small trees well rooted, and 
those roots kept moist when out of the ground. Large trees with few roots, 
and these dried, are almost certain to fail. Very much also depends on the 
weather in March as to whether spring-planted trees grow freely, merely 
exist, or die. See reply to another correspondent on this subject. The 
roots of Asparagut should not be shortened, and must not be dried in transit. 
In planting a round saddle-like ridge should be formed, the plants being 
firmly set on it, and the roots spread out their full length on both sides. 
Boilers {It. C.). —We have nothing toadltothe exhaustive notes on 
different kinds of boilers that appeared in our columns during August and 
September of last year from Air. W. Birdney. There are several boilers 
that would he it your range of houses efficiently if well set and well 
managed, and we cannot say which is the “ best ” for a position we have not 
seen, and thus imp’y that all others are inferior. There iB not a boiler that 
has lately been'advertised in our columns that we could not work satis¬ 
factorily. 
Gooseberries ( Pershore ).—You give no indication as to the number you 
require for your own use for dessert. We name two each of red, yellow, 
green, and white varieties that are of good flavour, but the fruit of some of 
them is small :—Red Champagne and Rough Red ; Early Sulphur and Yellow 
Champagne; Glent m Green and Pitmaston Green Gage; Snowdrop and 
Whitesmith. The following are extensively grown for marketCrown 
Bob, Lancashire Lad, Keens’ S.edling, Whinham’s Industry, Red Warring¬ 
ton, and Whitesmith. 
Shifting Marechal Niel Rose ( W . E.). —The Rose would grow quite as 
well in a large pot rs in a barrel. A pot 18 inches in diameter wou’d 
support a very large plant, whi 'h by annual top-dressings, removing some 
of the old and adding fresh soil and manure, might be kept healthy for 
several years. The worst of barrels is they decay at an inconvenient time, 
and pots do not; these, however, should be shaded from the sun in hot 
weather. Roses that require more root room may be shifted now, taking 
care not to overwater afterwards, as if the new soil is rendered sour roots 
will not enter it freely. As your Rose has grown so well you will know 
what kind of soil to use, and we observe you ask no question on that 
point. 
Protecting Raspberries (Kitiie)i —We presume you purpose having a 
skeleton framework over your Raspberry bed, and desire to cover it with 
wire, the erection to remain permanently. One-inch-mesh galvanised wire 
would answer, and it may be light, medium, or strong, this being mainly a 
question of outlay, but governed also by the distance of the battens for 
support'ng the wire ; netting of medium strength lasts for many years. It 
is much cheaper to cover the framework with strong tarred fish netting, 
securing it to battens placed on the ground from post to post round the bed. 
This plan answers admirab'y, and if the netting be store i quite dry in a dry 
place it may be used for sevtral seasons. It should be high enough for a 
person to walk under comfortably for gathering the fruit. Of course, wire 
netting is the most durable. 
Water in Unheated Plant Houses (G. C.). —It would be interesting to 
know on what grounds your informant bases his statement that “ an op -n 
pan of water placed among plants in an unheated conservatory helps to 
protect them from frost.” In reference to your question as to “ how that 
statement agrees with the fact that plants outdoors suffer more from frost 
in a damp position than a dry one,” our reply is that we fail to perceive any 
agreement between the two propositions. Heat is, no doubt, evolved in the 
freezing of water, though in the case of a “ pan ” of it, it is infinitessimal 
and inappreciable. But what after the water is frozen ? You will then 
agree, we think, that the plants will be frozen, too, if the temperature 
continues falling. 
Transplanting Fruit Trees (W-).—Trees of the age and size you name 
are best moved as early in autumn as is saf?, which is when the leaves are 
generally falling and part readily from the trees. The ground is warmer 
then than in spring, and the soil in better working order ; besides, the 
weath r is moist, so that the trees do not experience any great loss from 
evaporation. When planting is done in February or in early March the 
ground is cold and often wet, and March very often proves dry, in which 
case the trees have their vitality impaired through the loss consequent on 
evaporation, and make late and weak growths. With large and valuable 
trees every care should be taken in their removal, choosing the best time 
of year, which unquestionally is autumn, and that we strongly advise in 
your case. Young and small trees may safely be transplanted in spring, 
but all are best moved as sood aft r the leaves fall as practicable. We have 
had some unpleasant experience in moving large trees late in the season 
through a dry and windy March following. By autumn planting the soil 
gets well settled about the roots, and with the swelling buds in spring fresh 
roots are produced freely. 
Seeds (/?.).—You may safely purchase seeds from a warmer climate than 
your own. The better the soil for sustaining healthy growth, and the finer 
the summer for maturing it, the better are seeds both for the farm and the 
garden. Potatoes are not seeds, but tubers, seed being gathered from the 
berries of the plant. We do not know why Scotch Potatoes should be 
regarded as better than south of England Potatoes for planting, except on 
Tennis Court ( S. F .).—As the ground is very poor you could not do 
better than pare off the turf as you propose, mixing manure liberally with 
the top spit of soil. If you could stir the ground two spits deep it would be 
an advantage. Do not,however, bringany bad soilti the surface, but merely 
loosen it, and enrich the surface soi 1 . If the soil be heavy you may mix a 
3-inch thickness of old mortar rubbish with the top spit, which would not 
only make it drier but improve the texture of the grass. The ashes may be 
mixed with the bottom spit, which, by making it porous, would be advan¬ 
tageous in respect of keeping the ground drier and encouraging the deeper 
rooting of the grass. It will not answer to place a layer of ashes and other 
rough stuff near the surface with a view to raising and keeping it dry, for 
it would “ burn ” in summer, and frustrate the endeavour to form a close, 
velvety, elastic lawn. To insure a lawn fit to play upon by June by all 
means relay the turf if it be ccod. Whi st the turf is off be careful to 
remove from it the roots of such plants as Daisies, Plantain, &c. Be careful 
also to stir the groundto an uniform depth so as to insure its settling evenly, 
a little extra pains in preparing the ground, and laying the turf being well 
rewarded. Top-dress with well decayed manure as soon as the turf is laid 
and beat it down. The earlier it is done after this the better. If the grass 
be thin sow with grass seeds early in April after the manure has been 
brushed in, raking over lightly after sowing, then rolling the whole well. 
The lawn mower should not be used early and set low so as to shave the 
lawn closely at first. It is better to let the grass from seed grow somewhat 
freely, and first 11 run it over ” with a very sharp scythe. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET. —February 2nd. 
Market quiet. Grapes making better prices, as also good samples of 
home grown Apples. 
FRUIT, 
s. d. 8. d. 
Apples.J sieve 2 
„ Nova Scotia and 
0 to 5 0 
Cobs 
Figs 
Canada, per barrel 
10 
0 
IS 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
. 100 lb. 
60 
0 
70 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
1 
a 
3 
6 
10 
0 
15 
0 
Melon .each 
Oranges .100 
Peaches.perdoz. 
Pears. dozen 
Pine Apples English .. tb. 
Plums. i sieve 
8t. Michael Pines ..each 
Strawberries.. .. per lb. 
s. d. s. 
0 0 to 0 
0 12 
VEGETABLES. 
s. d. 
s. d 
s. d. 
8. 
d 
Artichokes .. 
.. dozen 
1 0 to 0 
0 
Lettuce .. .. 
1 0 to 1 
6 
Asparagus 
.. bundle 
0 0 
0 
0 
Mushrooms .. 
.. punnet 
0 6 
1 
0 
Beans, Kidney 
.. per lb 
0 6 
1 
0 
Mustard and Cre3S punnet 
0 2 
0 
0 
Beet, Red 
.. dozen 
1 0 
2 
0 
Ouioas .. .. 
0 3 
0 
0 
Broccoli .. .. 
0 0 
0 
0 
Parsley .. dozen bunches 
2 0 
3 
0 
Brussels Sprouts 
.. 4 sieve 
2 0 
2 
6 
Parsnips .. .. 
1 0 
2 
0 
Cabbage .. .. 
1 6 
0 
0 
Potatoes .. .. 
4 0 
5 
0 
Capsicums 
.. 100 
1 6 
2 
0 
,, Kidney 
.. cwt. 
4 9 
5 
0 
Carrots .. .. 
0 4 
0 
0 
Rhubarb .. 
.. bundle 
0 2 
0 
6 
Cauliflowers .. 
.. dozen 
3 0 
4 
0 
Salsafy .. .. 
1 0 
1 
0 
Celery ., , • 
1 6 
2 
0 
Scorzonera 
.. bundle 
1 6 
0 
0 
Coleworts doz. bunches 
2 0 
4 
0 
Seakale .. .. 
per basket 
1 6 
2 
0 
Cucumbers .. 
.. each 
0 3 
0 
4 
Shallots .. .. 
0 3 
0 
6 
Endive •• •• 
1 0 
2 
0 
Spinach .. .. 
3 0 
4 
0 
Herbs .. .. 
0 2 
0 
0 
Tomatoes .. 
0 6 
1 
0 
Leeks •• •• 
0 3 
0 
4 
Turnips .. .. 
0 4 
0 
0 
PLANTS IN POTS. 
s. d. 
8. 
d. 
b. d. 
8. 
d. 
Aralia Sieboldi 
.. dozen 
9 0 to 18 
0 
Ficus elastica 
.. each 
1 6 to 
7 
0 
Arbor vitas (golden) dozen 
6 0 
9 
0 
Fuchsia 
per dozen 
0 0 
0 
0 
„ (common) dozen 
6 0 
12 
0 
Foliage Plants, var. each 
2 0 
10 
0 
Azalea .. .. 
per dozen 24 0 
86 
0 
Hyacinths 
per dozen 
6 9 
9 
0 
Beidlng Plants, 
var. doz. 
0 0 
0 
0 
Hydrangea .. 
per dozen 
0 0 
0 
0 
Begonias 
.. dozen 
4 0 
9 
0 
Ivy Geraniums 
per dozen 
0 0 
0 
0 
Cineraria 
per dozen 
9 0 
12 
0 
Lilium anratum 
per doz. 
0 0 
0 
0 
Cyclamen 
.. dozen 12 0 
24 
0 
Lilies Valley.. 
.. dozen 18 0 
24 
0 
Cvuerui .. .. 
4 0 
12 
0 
Lobelias .. 
per dozen 
0 0 
0 
0 
Dracaena terminalis, dozen 30 0 
60 
0 
Marguerite Daisy dozen 
6 0 
12 
0 
„ viridis 
.. dozen 12 0 
24 
0 
Myrtles .. .. 
6 0 
12 
0 
Erica, various 
.. dozen 
9 0 
12 
0 
Narciss (various) 
.. dozen 12 0 
15 
0 
„ hyemalis 
per dozen 12 0 
24 
0 
Palms, in var. 
.. each 
2 6 
21 
0 
gracilis 
per dozen 
0 0 
0 
0 
Pelargoniums, scarlet, doz. 
6 0 
9 
0 
Euonymus, in var. dozen 
6 0 
18 
0 
Primula sisensis 
per doz. 
4 0 
6 
0 
Evergreens, in var. dozen 
6 0 
24 
0 
Solan <4 ns 
per doz. 
9 0 
12 
0 
Ferns, in variety 
.. dozen 
4 0 
18 
0 
Tulips .. . .per doz. pots 
6 0 
9 
0 
CUT 
FLOWERS. 
s. d. 
s. 
a. 
s. d. 
8. 
d. 
Abntilons .. 12 bunches 
Arum Lilies .. 12 blooms 
Azalea .. .. 12 sprays 
Bouvardias .. per bunch 
Camellias .. 12 blooms 
Carnations •. 12 blooms 
„ .. 12 bunches 
Chrysanthemums 12 bches. 
,, 12 blooms 
Cornflower 
Cyclamen 
Dahlias 
Epiphyllum 
Eucharis 
Gardenias 
12 bunches 
12 blooms 
12 bunches 
doz. blooms 
per dozen 
12 blooms 12 
1 
0 to 4 
Hyacinths,Roman,12 spray3 
. 12 sprays 4 
Lapageria, white, 12 blooms 2 
Lapageria, red ..12 blooms 1 
„ longiflorum,12blms. 0 
Lilac (white), French, buneh 6 
0 0 
0 0 
0 0 
0 0 
0 9 
0 0 
0 0 
6 0 
21 
1 
0 
6 
0 
0 
2 0 
0 0 
8 0 
Lily ol the Valley, 12 spray3 
Marguerites .. 12 bunches 
Mignonette .. 12 bunches 
Narciss, Paper-white, bunch 
„ White, English, bunch 
Pelargoniums, per 12 trusses 
„ scarlet, 12 trusses 
Boses .. 12 bunches 
„ (indoor), per dozen 
„ Tea . dozen 
„ red (French) dozen 
Parme Violets (French) 
Poinsettia .. 12 bloomi 
Primula (single) per bunch 
„ (double) per bnnch 
Stocks, various 12 bunches 
Tropaeolnm .. 12 bunches 
Tuberoses .. 12 blooms 
Tulips .. .. doz. blooms 
Violets .. .. 12 bunches 
„ Czar, French, per bunoh 
0 9 to 1 6 
6 0 
6 0 
1 6 
0 0 
2 6 
4 9 
